Lifting -> Stronger Body -> More self-esteem. If you can follow that rhetoric, then yes, lifting will help you. I, for one, am fortunate enough to have friends who don't implement a hierarchy. Friends who look out and care for each other, or just enjoy the company. My personal advice for you would be to find friends who don't implement a hierarchy, neither in interactions with you, nor with others. As soon as you notice them setting up and upholding a hierarchy, you have to assume that they will stab you in the back to secure their place in that hierarchy.

Edit: And also be aware that you would probably do just the same if you play the hierarchy game yourself.

I treat friends like plates .I dont expect anything from them rather than hanging out and i am ready getting stabbed in the back anytime.You know that stuff where he fucks the girl you like without telling you or talks shit behind your back.

If they flake on me or direspect me , i soft next them till they offer a genuine apology/excuse or reschedule.Till then i politely ignore like saying hi and bailing out if i see them outside or hard next if nothing comes at all.

Meanwhile, if i realise someone is worth trusting i open up more to them . Like in a LTR type of thing. 1-2 friends of this kind is good.But expect them to break eventually.They just last longer (Ltr's).This why you need options and abundance.

good luck

Lift and dont forget to meditate.

Don't let them betray you? Just don't put yourself in a situation where you rely on someone else for validation or experience.

But anyway you have to be the guy who invites people to do things first. Bowling is always a good go to for a good time, pool, hang at the place. Whatever you want to do just make plans and invite people.

i find it extremely hard to trust other men and view every man as an adversary to me whom i cant trust and could betray me. is this normal thinking?

This is immature and counter productive.

Sometimes it's true... but you're better being part of a group than isolated.

if i am in an all male group i usually am at the bottom of the male hierarchy; i hate this and i would rather be alone than be bottom of a hierarchy in a male group

This is your problem. Fix this.

What can i do to form connections with groups of men whom i have just met? Will lifting make it easier for me?

Yes lifting will help.

Why are you at the bottom?

Do you provide value? Do you convey respect? Or are you weak, needy and offer little?